How Awarding Excellence Spurs Leadership Development: Nuggets from Edinah Kangwana MBS (Co-author of SheLeads Vol II).

This is a chapter review of the SheLeads Book, Vol. 2. - By Benvictor Makau.

• The anthology is a timely collection of insights, perspectives, experiences and journeys of women leaders.
• In the SheLeads Volume II book, in Chapter 18, which is her contribution, Ms. Kangwana highlights the “Importance of Honor in Leadership Development”.
• The book so perfectly fits what the women of Kenya, Africa, and the world have been looking for in the journey of gender equality.

"Even though the honor culture may come in different forms, the unifying factor is that the recognition, rewards and prizes are meant to uplift, highlight and celebrate those persons, organizations, or entities that have stood out in their game" -Edinah Kangwana, Leadership expert.

When we listen to the stories and journeys of experienced leaders in their areas of expertise, we find more credibility in what they do, and we see and understand the world from a deeper, more accurate, pragmatic, and multi-faceted perspective.

The need to compile these stories and have the scintillating and lesson-filled journeys accessible in a volume can never be wished away.

Edinah Kangwana MBS, MHC, is one of the 17 co-authors who contributed to the recently launched SheLeads Volume II anthology, a women’s leadership and involvement promotional project by ZionPearl Publishers

The multi-award-winning transformational leader joined other trailblazing women leaders drawn from diverse backgrounds and areas of career excellence to give her voice on women’s leadership development and the need for their continuous and complete involvement.

The anthology is a timely collection of insights, perspectives, experiences and journeys of women leaders.

It tells of their journey of resilience in leadership, their strategic moves, and the lessons they have bagged along the way as impact-driven leaders.

It showcases their tappable expertise and stresses the undeniable need and impact of continuously involving women leaders in community development.

Bridging the Gap

In the SheLeads Volume II book, in Chapter 18, which is her contribution, she highlights the “Importance of Honor in Leadership Development”, delving into the tenets of the culture of awards, recognition, and honor and its contribution to leadership development.

Clearly amplifying why our communities and the world at large need to embrace the otherwise near-lost culture of honor as a strategic tool in leadership development, particularly as a boost to women’s leadership, Ms. Kangwana underscores the truth that what is honored and appreciated is likely repeated by those awarded.

She reiterates that if this culture is embraced, it could hugely contribute to closing the ever-widening gender gaps. Everyone’s contributions would be acknowledged and appreciated, embracing diversity and leveraging it.

Authored by a leadership and organizational development trainer, this chapter directly speaks to the hearts of leaders and organizations, pointing to them the best way into productivity, enthusiasm, and achievement through nurturing an appreciation, honor, and award culture, which would refresh both the leaders and staff across organizations.

Being the Founder and CEO of Arise Circle KE, a center for leadership and organizational development training, she writes from experience and with sufficient dexterity in the niche.

Honor it; they’ll do it

Sagely borrowing from the words of Sir Clyde Rivers, the Founder and President of iChange Nations, the largest global organization in terms of country coverage that has embraced the culture of honor embedded in the civility code, “What you honor and celebrate, they do,” she writes.

“Human beings are inwardly yearning to be given a thumbs up. We all want to be recognized and our presence and input appreciated and celebrated. Selfishly so, humans nurture a “me first” approach, consciously or subconsciously,” she told Scholar Media Africa in an exclusive interview.

Therefore, ?when we all embrace and commit ourselves to doing to others that which we could love to be done to us, we make everybody up and, as such, bring about the love and harmony that mother nature so much needs.

When you recognize good and celebrate it, naturally, people will pick it, including the very young ones, and endeavor to do good all the time as part of their lives.

On the contrary, every moment we celebrate the bad, we normalize the bad deeds in society, and people get the justification to keep doing bad.

Just the small things

The honor culture is not all about the big Nobel Prizes, the meet-up galas, Olympic gold, or the head of state decorations and honors.

According to the co-author, the culture of honor elevates any appreciation done out of goodwill.

It can be as simple as a pat on the back, a small gift, a certificate, a clap, or even a mention of the excellent. This can be embraced at home, school, work, and all other spheres of our lives.

“Even though the honor culture may come in different forms, the unifying factor is that the recognition, rewards and prizes are meant to uplift, highlight and celebrate those persons, organizations, or entities that have stood out in their game,” she writes.

It’s wise to normalize celebrating others and yourself, too, for work exemplarily done.

The ripple effect

Awards, recognitions and honor tend to make a person have and feel a sense of belonging. For instance, in the case of an employer celebrating an employee.

Honor gives the honored an awakening call to always be accountable to the people on matters doing good so as to befit and uphold their honor.

It makes one to behave differently from the ordinary. That way, a leader is born from the inside.

Honor stirs others to do exemplary well to be worthy of the same or higher honor next time, and it stresses that good is to be celebrated to infuse it into the hearts of society.

Increased productivity in organizations, role-modeled and mentored individuals, heightened personal development, and intentional networking are other facets of the impact of honor culture in organizations and among individuals Ms. Kangwana discusses in this chapter.

Positioned for honor?

Getting honored, however, even in the small ways, requires effort.

The individual or organization has to rise above what the mundane requirements spell, proving more innovative and far above what everyone else around is doing.

Ms. Kangwana, a celebrated leader and community service enthusiast, shares with the world that it is vital for one to first go out of their way and go the extra mile.

This is a commitment to branch out and be different yet very relevant and timely.

“If you desire to receive an accolade in your area of enthusiasm and be rewarded for doing what tickles your heart and awakens your inner fulfillment, then it’s time to do that extra assignment, meet that unconvinced client once more, read that one more book, show up for that assignment, sign that lingering partnership and strike that deal yonder,” she writes.

Further, she underscores the benefits of continuous learning and upskilling, adding that this triggers you to walk on paths uncharted, get hold of better perspectives, and stay updated by exploring manifold areas of excellence.

She also advises professionals, corporations, and anyone else to normalize and pursue broad and intentional networking.

Knowing and collaborating with the right people gives you credibility in what you do best.

It also positions you at a vantage point to gain from their award and honor cultures when they identify you from the vast crowd.

A revolution

Cognizant of the speedy fading of the culture of honor, especially in organizations and also in daily lives, and the overhanging danger it threatens to pose, Ms. Kangwana sends a clarion call for a revolution.

“While the prestigious awards at any level may target people at higher levels, there are many heroes doing good, especially at the grassroots, who may remain unsung.

That is why there is a need for a revolution and redefinition of what honor ought to be—part of our daily life, our embraced culture,” she writes.

This is an insightful chapter of the entirely life-changing anthology, one which studying would pose new approaches and perspectives and awaken your inner desire to pursue the best version of yourself from the point of self-realization through the eyes and journeys of the world’s best.

For more on the culture of honor as a strategic tool for leadership development, kindly get a copy of the SheLeads Volume II book from Nuria Bookstore, Bazaar Plaza, Moi Avenue in Nairobi.

In the book, you will find well-thought-out #leadership nuggets from other co-authors.

The book so perfectly fits what the women of Kenya, Africa, and the world have been looking for in the journey of gender equality.

The co-author can be contacted via [email protected] or +254721992505.

This article was originally published by Scholar Media (www.scholarmedia.africa )